Showing posts with label Birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birds. Show all posts

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Birds in the Snow

The snow is gone now and spring is on the way. Last week was a different story with ice and snow completely covering the driveway and front porch.

I finally got out and cleaned the window that overlooks this bird feeder so that I can get a clear shot of Mr. Cardinal and his beautiful face.

They were flocking to the Audubon mix of seeds that were placed outside for them. I've never seen so many varieties sharing the same perch. It was fascinating to watch them come and go, resting for a few moments on the branches of the Bradford pear tree nearby. Soon they would take flight and resume their voracious feeding during the worst of the storm.


Monday, February 23, 2015

Winter Moves in Overnight with a Texas Style Ice Storm

Two o'clock this morning our heater stopped working. Wouldn't you know it? Last week we had temperatures in the seventies, but today we're in the twenties.

I'm not complaining, though, compared to our counterparts in the northeast that had an Arctic blast of deep freezing snow, we've had a mild winter. This is, after all, Texas. If we don't like the weather we can be sure it will change in a couple of days.

The birds were delighted to have an ample supply of bird food and were making a feast of it all morning. I was able to catch a few of them at the buffet.


They were taking turns at the bird feeder with Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal, a few sparrows, a dove and one stray blackbird who seemed to have lost his flock.

The best shot was when Mr. Cardinal decided to hop on the ground and scout for fallen corn.

When the Internet decided to take a short break this morning as well, I decided it was a good day to do some baking.

We purchased one of those huge bags of triple washed broccoli crowns from Costco last week.

After serving it a a couple of times steamed, it was time to put the rest of it to good use in a broccoli and ham Quiche. This was the perfect day to use the oven.


Here's how the Quiche came out. We had this for lunch today. Yum.


It turns out the HVAC compressor unit just needed to defrost a bit. Jane at Ross Air Conditioning, the service company that has taken care of us for over twenty years told us to turn it off for a few minutes.

After we turned it back on, we were delighted to get warm air out of the vents once again. Their company was iced in by the weather as well, so it's a good thing the heater is working. It's a nice warm feeling...

Back to bird watching.


Friday, March 4, 2011

Spring is Sprung as March Marches in

Spring is making its presence known here in Texas with mild temperature in the 70s this week.  It's a blessing to see the new blossoms appear on the Bradford Pears and baby Sparrows happily feeding at the bird feeder.

Another welcome event was the sighting of three woodpeckers in the backyard but only one let me capture his image.

The crops in the pastures along Highway 78 are starting to wear their finest green color as St. Patrick's Day soon approaches.

Ah, spring - so delightful.

Below the woodpecker taps out his song to the beat of his own drum.